Anthony Shallat, one of 15 applicants for a vacant seat on the Boise School Board, has pulled his name from consideration.

And he is throwing his support behind Mike Lanza — the former spokesman for the 2012 campaign to overturn Propositions 1, 2 and 3, and the former spokesman for Democratic gubernatorial candidate (and longtime Boise trustee) A.J. Balukoff.

Here’s what Shallat said about his decision:

“Originally, I had applied to ensure that two policy priorities — 1) competitive wages for district employees and 2) a renewed focus on lobbying the state Legislature for increases in educational funding — would be represented on the board. However, after seeing the applicant pool, I have come to the conclusion that the Boise School District is flush with great choices that will emphasize these policies. Specifically, I would like the current trustees to consider appointing Mike Lanza to the open seat. Mr. Lanza has the integrity and vision needed to protect our district’s successes.”

Shallat, an attorney, had run for a Boise School Board seat in September.

He isn’t the only applicant who has had second thoughts. Anthony Quilici, an assistant principal at Boise’s Bishop Kelly High School, has also pulled his name from consideration, the Idaho Statesman reported Friday.

Trustees will appoint a successor to Joan Boren, who resigned abruptly on Oct. 31, saying the board is “not an independent, governing body and instead serves at the pleasure of district administration.” The remaining six trustees will interview applicants and select a trustee to complete the remainder of Boren’s term, which ends in September 2016. Interviews will be held on Jan. 7 and, if necessary, on Jan. 9. Trustees will vote on the appointment on Jan. 12.